Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Suddenly yesterday I looked at the sitting room with fresh eyes and was struck by how tired and shabby *everything* in there looked. I tossed some throw pillows into the trash. Ditched a couple of plants. Realized that the upholstery was literally hanging in shreds. Oy!

Last year I thought about painting the room pale green, but never did it. Yesterday Giles suggested gray and said he'd do it. At loose ends, with all his friends back in school already, he's an energetic force of nature. And he loves gray. He's kind of a city boy--or maybe he's Swedish.

I got out of the way this morning as the room emptied.

I walked through here a hundred times today admiring Giles' meticulous prepping. And rejoicing that I didn't have to do any of it!

Gray is a tricky one to choose. The light in here is so cool that a perfectly neutral gray reads as blue. So though I am *so* drawn to "Feather Gray" in honor of Frederick, I am going to have to steer towards the warmer "Moonshine."

Send Giles to me. In the past 4 days I have painted my (previously unpainted) bathroom two different colors. Not at once; I mean layers! And I'm about to start painting our oak kitchen cabinets! Is it that time of year, or what?

In any event, I could use a force like Giles. For now it's just me...while my husband corrals our toddler.

I'm looking forward to seeing the end result. Colour is so tricky isn't it? I've repainted many a wall even after careful perusing of paint charts and daubing of test patches. And the light goes on changing all day through too. Even white can be difficult.

I can't wait to see it! A pearl-gray is what we've chosen for our office/sewing room and I can't wait to start once the new windows come in and are installed. . .the wait is horrible. I'm in the mood to paint! :)

How lucky you are to have Giles! I hope my sons are as helpful and take such care in their work when they are older.

I painted my living room gray last year....and had to try at least 5 different colors before I found one that wasn't reading *light blue*!!! I did find a great color and am thrilled with it! Hope to see photos of the finished project! Good work, Giles!

Anna, I have to say that this post has put me back on the right track. Here, you originally wanted green, but when Giles said "gray" you didn't fuss at all! What a wonder! You're so agreeable! On the other hand, we are going to paint the kitchen and living room soon, and I'm annoyed when my brother keeps pressing me about what color - I'm "feeling sorry for myself" ahead of time because it will probably end up some bland color which would be the only thing we would both agree on, and I would have to live with it. Poor me! This post woke me up. A *plain* color that we can agree on will be just fine, and as the one who does most of the decorating, it will up to me (and my enjoyment!) to make up for what's lacking in the rooms afterward. Thank God and Anna for that knock on the head! :)

Thanks, Anna. Here I am in Minnesota, surrounded by many, many Hansons, Olsons, Johnsons, Ecklunds, Andersons, Nelsons, married almost 36 years to a man descended from not-so-far-back Swedes, multiple friends plus family in the (very) Swedish Evangelical Covenant Church - and I had never once noticed the grey. Hmm. Cause for pause. No gray matter?

I love swedish decor as evidenced by my own home which seems to be fast transitioning over to that look. Clean, spare, airy... just like your new sitting room will likely be. Being a photographer, I'm not surprised that he had an opinion about the color. He's a true artist.

It appears that Giles could go into the house painting business as soon as he finishes your living room. If does decide to do that, please add me to the list:-)I love gray - it is such a peaceful, soothing color. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Feel free to Pin my photos, but please link back to the page you found them on.

Photography

Photography is an important part of life at my house. Photos that appear here are taken by Giles, by the Composer, and by me. Giles is a real, paid photographer, and he uses a Sony Alpha. Most of the photography prior to September 2008 is his. Since then I have done most of the shooting and I use a Konica Minolta. Additionally, the Composer offers me nice shots on occasion, often from his little Canon point and shoot. I've given up trying to note who's done what. Thanks for your interest!